SCOOP 72 - Scoop's 72 hour sports round-up

TUA to fight in Vegas: The David Tua camp
believes it has already won the first round of the build-up
to upcoming professional world heavyweight boxing title
fight with the bout being confirmed for one of the
acknowledged homes of the fight-game - Las Vegas - instead
of Toronto where Lewis may have recieved greater
support.

Tua who has returned from Samoa to NZ and is soon
embarking for some pre-fight promotions Stateside is fit and
focused and his camp who have signed for approximately
US$3.75 million are adamant the 'throwin Samoan' is destined
to earn his place in NZ's sporting history by winning what
many consider the ultimate prize in world
sport.

Boxing bad boys to get it on: Iron Mike Tyson
and Andrew Golota - regarded as two of the meanest, nastiest
and craziest fighters in the world - are scheduled to fight
it out on October 20 in Auburn Hills, USA.

Boxing's
class act to go for third consecutive Olympic heavyweight
gold: Cuban superstar Felix "the Man" Savon will attempt to
equal the feat of his famed compatriot _Teofilo Stevenson an
amateur who many regard as if not equal to second only to
Muhammed Ali as the greatest heavyweight (pro or amateur) in
history.Now the tall, imposing Savon will attempt in
Sydney to equal Stevenson's awesome record of a hatrick of
World and Olympic heavyweight boxing titles.

Cullen to
add teeth to Lions: After last week's dismal performance
against Northland the Wellington Lions will welcome the
return of dynamic All Black fullback Christian Cullen to
their team to tackle Taranaki on Saturday night at
Wellington's WestpacTrust stadium. Tana Umaga is also hoping
to play but a decision on his fitness has yet to be
confirmed.

Rugby World Champions the Wallabies have
named four new caps - George Smith, Bill Young, Nick Stiles
and Phil Waugh - for their end of year European tour. The
four newcomers are tangible evidence of a gradual changing
of the guard in the world class Wallabies with stalwart
Richard Harry; greats David Wilson and Jason Little and
living legend and 1999 World Cup MVP Tim Horan all retiring
following their team's recent history-making Tri-Nations
series win.

Mallett could be ousted: Once lauded as
the savior of Springbok rugby Nick Mallett is facing the axe
as South African rugby coach as the games authorities meet
to decide the former No 8 and Cambridge Blues international
coaching future.

French star says 'au revoir' to
international soccer: World and European Cup winning captain
Chelsea midfielder Didier Deschamp has said this weekend's
international between England and France will be the last
time he lead's his beloved national team.

Reigning
Formula One champ on charge: Flying Finn Formula One champ
Mika Hakkanin, who won the weekend's Belgian Grand Prix with
a spectacular overtaking move on the 41st lap that has put a
third drivers title within his sights. "His overtaking
manoeuvre I'm sure will go down as one of the greatest in
the sport's history," McLaren team boss Ron Dennis
said.

Cricket greats set to split: Cricketing greats
West Indian fast bowlers Curtly Ambrose and Courtney Walsh
are believed to lining up together for the last time as they
set out to, in tandem as usual, terrorise and indimidate
batsmen in the fifth and final test against England. The
pair are recognised alongside Wasim Akram/ Waqar Younis,
Michael Holding/Malcolm Marshall and Wes Hall and Charlie
Griffiths as the greatest pair of fast-bowlers to play the
game.

US OPEN tennis: Pete Sampras with a straight set
win, Martina Hingis, the Williams sisters and Lindsay
Devenport are still going strong but popular stars Brazil's
Gustavo Kuerten and Aussie Pat Rafter disappointed their
legions of fans by being knocked out.

Big trade in
NBA: TWO of the leagues most powerful players and personas
Shawn Kemp and Brian Grant will be donning different shirts
this season after a multi-million dollar deal which sees
Kemp leave the Cleveland Cavaliers for the Portland
Trailblazers and Brian Grant join the Miami Heat from the
Trailblazers.

Wonder Cyclist injured: Two-time Tour de
France winner and cyclist extraordinaire USA's Lance
Armstrong suffered bruising when he and another cyclist were
hit by a car in Southern France in an accident that
destroyed his bike and smashed his
helmet.

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